CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
Mayor Isaiah Wright Mayor Pro Tem Blake Inscore
Council Member Raymond Altman Council Member Jason Greenough Council Member Kelly Schellong
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
AND THE
HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FLYNN CENTER BOARD CHAMBERS
981 H STREET
CRESCENT CITY, CA 95531
MONDAY AUGUST 21, 2023 6:00 P.M.
CLOSED SESSION
Call to order Mayor Wright called the closed session to order at 5:11 p.m.
Roll call Council Members present: Council Member Ray Altman, Council Member Jason Greenough, Mayor Pro Tem Blake Inscore, and Mayor Isaiah Wright
Council Member absent: Council Member Kelly Schellong
Staff members present: City Attorney Martha Rice and City Clerk/Administrative Analyst Robin Altman
CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
There were no comments from the public on closed session items.
CLOSED SESSION
• Conference with Legal Counsel - Potential Litigation (Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(2)):
Government Claim of Becky Bohannon; Government Claim Cari McCormick on behalf of all similarly situated persons
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Rice reported the following action was taken on closed session items:
On a motion by Council Member Greenough and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Inscore, and carried 4-0 with Council Member Schellong being absent, the City Council of the City of Crescent City rejected the government claim of Becky Bohannon.
On a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Inscore, seconded by Council Member Altman, and carried 4-0 with Council Member Schellong being absent, the City Council of the City of Crescent City rejected the government claim of Cari McCormick on behalf of all similarly situated persons.
OPEN SESSION
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Call to order Mayor Wright called the open session to order at 6:00 p.m. Council Member Schellong arrived for open session.
Roll call Council Members present: Council Member Ray Altman, Council Member Jason Greenough, Council Member Kelly Schellong, Mayor Pro Tem Blake Inscore, and Mayor Isaiah Wright
Staff members present: City Manager Eric Wier, City Attorney Martha Rice, City Clerk Administrative Analyst Robin Altman, Economic Development and Recreation Director Ashley Taylor, Housing Authority Executive Director Megan Miller, Grants Coordinator Bridget Lacey, Public Works Director Dave Yeager, and Police Chief Richard Griffin
Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Wright
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Dan Schmidt - would like to have an employee incentive program to dispense the art to an employee of the month or the public. Is concerned with the cost to care for the collection.
Dorothy Riley - spoke about Cointelpro and how she is being terrorized by them, the police, and the FBI. Spoke about terrorism and torture. Went to the FBI for help, but they turned Cointelpro on her and is being used by local police and in Placer County. The DA dismissed her comment about brain computer interface. Would like to do a presentation on Cointelpro.
Roger Gitlin - took a shower at the pool and said that the Council and City staff should be proud of themselves. Since the Triplicate is a week late, he would like to make sure that they are in touch with City staff to be able to make sure the public is informed via social media.
Mayor Wright stated that he wanted to have the City Manager's report to be at the beginning of this meeting since there were public present that had a report. The Council was in unanimous consensus. City Manager Wier reported to the Council that as of 4pm on Friday, the power has been out due to a serious forest fire in Gasquet. He further stated that Incident Management Team 15 is present to report to the Council as well as to the community. Tom Stokesbury, PIO, for the Incident Management Team for the Smith River Complex Fire, stated that the fire has grown over 5,000 acres today. They burned out around the Idlewild CalTrans Station to protect it in conjunction with Team 13, from Oregon. The fire didn't get as close to Gasquet as they thought it would. The outflow of information with the OES has been working very well and on Wednesday night at 6pm will be another Community Meeting at the Fairgrounds. Only one structure has been lost so far. This is the number one fire priority in the nation and help has been coming from all areas. Council Member Schellong asked about Gasquet being three miles away, is there a timeframe for the evacuation to be lifted? Mr. Stokesbury stated that the repopulation of Gasquet will be decided on within the next 24 to 48 hours. They will not be leaving until this situation is mitigated. City Manager Wier stated that the firefighters are doing everything they can to protect critical infrastructure in Gasquet. Camp Six has been saved. The EOC has been fully set up and the community has come together to man it. Chief Griffin has been the Law Liaison for the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), this is a unified collaboration. Del Norte Unified School District sent up 6 buses to Gasquet in case people needed transportation to evacuation. There is community resource center at the High School where water and charging stations are located.
There is also a water distribution center there as well via a hydrant. The Harbor and Pacific Seafood is providing ice. Ice distribution will be from 8am - 5pm at the end of Citizens Dock Road Council Member Schellong stated it is saltwater ice and cannot be consumed, it is only for keeping food cold. People have to bring their own container to the location. City Manager Wier stated that getting information to everyone has been a big focus. The radio, social media and information boards are being circulated to inform the public. KCRE/KPOD will have regular updates at 9am, 2 | Page
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noon, and 5pm. Pacific Power is bringing in a lot of resources and have been working nonstop.
They are also partnering with PG&E to get the Del Monte Substation to power most of north of town - from Washington Bld to Lakeview. The City gave a generator to the Kidney Dialysis Center. The Tribal communities have been in contact with to make sure their critical needs are being met. City Manager Wier encouraged the public that if they have a critical need, to please call the EOC hotline. Council Member Schellong stated that there will be information boards for those who do not have access to the internet. Will be at all of the community centers. Chief Griffin reported to the Council that he wants the community to know that since the traffic signals are out, to treat it like a four-way stop. He appreciates the cohesiveness between the Clty and County during this event. There are law enforcement agencies from outside of Del Norte who have come to offer help in law enforcement calls. City Manager Wier reported that the Fairgrounds is the location of the shelter. It's being managed by the American Red Cross. He also stated that the most recent information by Pacific Power is that the transmission lines have not been damaged by the fire and they are doing everything they can to make sure they do not get damaged.
Regarding 199, there is no major structural damage, just a large amount of debris in the roadway. » Reports, Concerns, Referrals, Council travel and training reports - Council Member Altman: nothing to report
Council Member Greenough: would like there to be discussions with Pacific Power to have redundancy lines so that our community is not relying on the current transmission lines alone. City Manager Wier explained that those discussions are already underway. Since this has already cost them a lot of money, they will be incentivized to do that.
Council Member Schellong: nothing to report
Mayor Pro Tem Inscore: nothing to report
Mayor Wright: nothing to report
CEREMONIAL ITEMS
1. Suicide Prevention Month Proclamation
Mayor Wright read the proclamation aloud and it will be sent to Gordon Clay who was unable to be present at the meeting. He stated that since there less social interactions and isolation can play a part in effecting your mental health. Know your neighbors and check on them. Encouraged making sure people have interactions with others.
CONSENT CALENDAR
2. Council Meeting Minutes
• / Recommendation: Approve the August 7, 2023 meeting minutes for the City Council.
3. Warrant Claims List
Recommendation: Receive and file the warrant claims list for the period July 29, 2023 through August 11, 2023.
4. Payroll Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the biweekly payroll report for the period ending August 12, 2023, paid August 18, 2023
5. Quarterly Cash and Investments Report as of June 30, 2023 • Recommendation: Receive and file quarterly cash and investments report as of June 30, 2023
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Council Member Schellong asked for item 3 to be pulled from the consent calendar as she would be recusing herself due to a conflict with her current employer; the Council was in unanimous consensus.
There were no comments from the public on items 2, 4, 5 of the consent calendar.
On a motion by Council Member Schellong, seconded by Council Member Altman, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 polled vote, the City Council of the City of Crescent City adopted items 2, 4, and 5 of the consent calendar as presented
There were no comments from the public on item 3 of the consent calendar.
On a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Inscore, seconded by Council Member Altman, and carried 4-0- 1 polled vote with Council Member Schellong being recused, the City Council of the City of Crescent City adopted item 3 of the consent calendar as presented REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS - None
PUBLIC HEARING - None
Mayor Wright adjourned the Council meeting to adjourn to the Crescent City Housing Authority at 6:49 p.m.
CRESCENT CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY
(Minutes will be on the next CCHA agenda)
RECONVENE THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Wright reconvened the City Council meeting at 6:55 p.m.
CONTINUING BUSINESS - None
NEW BUSINESS
8. Letter of Support to Elk Valley Rancheria for an American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) Grant Application to Help Fund the Tolowa Interpretive Walk • Recommendation: Hear staff report
• Technical questions from the Council
• Receive public comment
• Further Council discussion
• Approve and authorize the Mayor to sign a letter of support for Elk Valley Rancheria's AIANTA grant application to help fund the Tolowa Interpretive Walk • Direct staff to bring back a memorandum of understanding with Elk Valley Rancheria regarding implementation of the project
City Manager Wier reported to the Council that this is an opportunity to partner with EVR to expand Beachfront Park. He showed a presentation about the Tolowa Cultural Walk.
There were no comments from the public.
On a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Inscore, seconded by Council Member Altman and carried unanimously on a 5-0 polled vote, the City Council of the City of Crescent City approved and authorized the Mayor to sign a letter of support for Elk Valley Rancheria's AIANTA grant application to help fund the Tolowa Interpretive Walk and directed staff to bring back a memorandum of understanding with Elk Valley Rancheria regarding implementation of the project 4 | Page
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9. Val Polyanin Art Collection Update and Grant Application Authorization • Recommendation: Hear staff report
• Technical questions from the Council
• Receive public comment
Further Council discussion
• Approve and adopt Resolution No. 2023-61, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING THE FY 2023-24
BUDGET OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
Economic Development and Recreation Director Taylor gave a presentation to the Council about the art collection and the background for which the City obtained it. An Art Preservation Committee has been created of community members with various backgrounds. This Committee will determine where the collection will go, who will fund it and who will manage and staff the collection. The Kohler Foundation will have this on their next agenda to see if they can take ownership of the collection and manage the project. Director Taylor stated that the grant that is being sought does not require a match, although it does require that the recipient pay any costs upfront and then submit for reimbursement. If the City is awarded that grant, depending on the negotiated lease terms, additional funding may be needed. Before acceptance of the grant, staff will return to Council with additional details on the lease terms as well as a budget adjustment to account for grant revenue and project expenses. The additional allocation of funds in the budget amendment includes utilities, marketing supplies as well as exhibition supplies. Council Member Greenough asked what the likelihood of the City obtaining the grant; Director Taylor stated that this project is the type that the grant would like to see for funding. Council Member Schellong is concerned with the plan for the exhibit conflicting with the beginning of construction of the new City Hall; City Manager Wier stated that USDA is confident that this project can be funded, the architect has the layout of the building we can get what we need to complete the construction documents. USDA said for a project like City Hall, it could be pushed out for 9 months to a year.
She further stated that it was her understanding that the initial funding was to be used to find the next steps for the collection. Director Taylor stated that staff will continue to seek additional funding to transition the collection to another location. Council Member Schellong asked if the new location is found and the rent is paid for a year, what about all of the other costs associated with it; Director Taylor stated staff will go before Council for any additional needs arise. City Manager Wier stated that there are a lot of logistical issues that come along with moving the collection. The number one target to take over the collection is the Kohler Foundation. Council Member Altman does not support using taxpayers' money on the project. It takes $10k to move 900+ pieces of art and feels we have already spent too much money on it. Council Member Greenough spoke in support of continuous funding of this project as it has a chance to make a difference in our community. There are people that travel all around the world to see art much like this collection. Mayor Pro Tem Inscore asked if it has been considered whether or not the same foot traffic is expected once First Friday is over; stated that there are opportunities to expand awareness in our art community is a good one. There are a few locations in town that will create an art walk. He agreed with Council Member Altman on the concern over spending public money on this, just as he was when marketing for tourism was discussed years ago and agreed with Council Member Greenough with how it would energize our art community. Director Taylor stated that grant funding, for this type of project, it's something the community wants. This makes us competitive to obtain grant funding. In regards to foot traffic in the building, its difficult to track as they have only had a few showings that were separate from First Friday events. Council Member Schellong stated that since this is geared towards marketing tourism, shouldn't the $4200 come from the Chamber or Visitors Bureau; Director Taylor stated that she didn't feel they would be able to fund it. Council Member Schellong asked where the money would come from; Director Taylor stated it would be from the General Fund. Council Member Schellong is in support of art in the community and for the collection to be out of the Bank of America building; does not support funding this project from the general fund. She asked City Attorney Rice if an entry fee could be 5 | Page
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charged as Council Member Altman had suggested; City Attorney Rice stated that could be allowed. Council Member Altman suggested having a suggested donation instead of an entrance fee. Director Taylor stated that donations are being accepted at this time and it is around $8200.
The following resident addressed the Council:
Holli Jackson - his mother started the Mural Society. Stated the value of art is dependent on the status of the artist, he believes the collection is worth millions of dollars. He took pictures of the collection so the City could have it cataloged and spoke in support of the collection and having it funded. Committed to donating $500 towards the $4200.
Alec Dompka - this art is the opportunity to build the arts and culture in our community.
On a motion by Council Member Greenough, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Inscore and carried unanimously on a 5-0 polled vote, the City Council of the City of Crescent City approved the submission of an application for the Coast Central Credit Union grant On a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Inscore, seconded by Council Member Greenough, and carried on a 3-2 vote with Council Member Altman and Council Member Schellong voted no, the City remand and Monter eng, Council of the City of Crescent City approved and adopted Resolution No. 2023-61, A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY AMENDING THE FY 2023-24 BUDGET OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY
10. Resolution Ratifying the Proclamation of the Director of Emergency Services Proclaiming the Existence of a Local Emergency
• Recommendation: Hear verbal report
• Technical questions from the Council
• Receive public comment
• Further Council discussion
• Approve and adopt Resolution No. 2023-62, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CRESCENT CITY RATIFYING THE PROCLAMATION
OF THE DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES PROCLAIMING THE
EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY
City Manager Wier stated that this item is before the Council due to the current wildfires in Gasquet.
There were no comments from the public.
On a motion by Mayor Pro Tem Inscore, seconded by Council Member Schellong, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 polled vote, the City Council of the City of Crescent City approved and adopted Resolution No. 2023-62, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CRESCENT CITY RATIFYING THE PROCLAMATION OF THE DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY
SERVICES PROCLAIMING THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY
CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
› Legislative Matters - None
• City Manager Report and City Council Directives -
City Manager Wier stated that Senator McGuire has set up a daily Zoom call with himself, CAO Lopez, and Pacific Power. He is pushing to get us the assistance we need. The RAISE grant - we were very close to getting it however, we were highly recommended on 7 of the 8. There were 6 | Page
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1100 applications submitted there were 162 awards in total. We did not receive funding, but was encouraged to apply again. Council Member Schellong updated the Council and public on the updates that are being put out on the OES Facebook page. City Manager Wier stated that South Fork Road is now closed to the public because it is affecting fire traffic. Hunting and other activities are not allowed and only residents are allowed to access the road with proof of residency. Fire Chief Carey reported to the Council that he is thankful for their support, City Manager Wier and CAO Lopez have been great leaders, and the City and County have come together very well. Is very proud that they can supply a water tender and structure engine to the Gasquet fire.
The Governor will get a letter requesting him to declare an emergency.
Mayor Wright stated that he has heard it around the community of Facebook and radio; and gave the Emergency Operations Center hotline number to the public. If when you are checking on your neighbors and they have needs, call the hotline.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Wright adjourned the meeting at 8:16 p.m. to the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Crescent City on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. at the Flynn Center, 981 H Street, Crescent City, CA 95531.
ATTEST:
Robin Altman
City Clerk/Administrative Analyst
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